Shoelace retaining device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a shoelace retaining device which includes an L-shaped spring clip, a support frame which is fixedly attached to the L-shaped spring clip, and a locking member which is upwardly raised from a base plate of the support frame. An aperture is formed on a clip arm of the L-shaped spring clip to receive the locking member. The locking member has a receiving part having a positive slope and a locking part having a negative slope. Furthermore, the base plate has a positive slope so that the base plate and the clip arm taper for easy in and out of a shoelace.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoelace retaining device and, more particularly, to a shoelace retaining device, preferably attached to a shoe tongue, for securely retaining shoelaces. The shoelace retaining device dispenses with the need to tie shoelaces and it is easy to use and very quick in tightening or releasing shoelaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, shoes have shoelaces to secure a shoe to the wearer's foot. Shoelaces pass through or are threaded through eyelets, and then they are pulled through the eyelets, tightening the opening of the shoe over the tongue of the shoe with the free ends of the shoelaces being tied to make a knot on the vamp. However, the knot may be loose due to the walking, running and jumping of the wearer and the wearer has to fasten it again. Besides, the knot needs to be loosened to take off the shoes.

Accordingly, shoelace securing devices have been developed and introduced. However, most of these devices have a rather complex structure and a shoe may require two or more elements installed on the shoe to work together. More elements and complicated structure lead to increased manufacturing costs.

Therefore, to solve the above problems, a need for an easy-to-use shoelace retaining device having a simple structure has been present for a long time considering the expansive demands in the everyday life. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention provides an easy-to-use shoelace retaining device having a simple structure.

The object of the invention is to provide a shoelace retaining device which includes an L-shaped spring clip, a support frame which is fixedly attached to the L-shaped spring clip, and a locking member which is upwardly raised from a base plate of the support frame. An aperture is formed on a clip arm of the L-shaped spring clip to receive the locking member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoelace retaining device which includes an L-shaped spring clip, a support frame which is fixedly attached to the L-shaped spring clip, and a locking member which is upwardly raised from a base plate of the support frame wherein an aperture is formed on a clip arm of the L-shaped spring clip to receive the locking member and the locking member has a receiving part having a positive slope and a locking part having a negative slope.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shoelace retaining device which includes an L-shaped spring clip, a support frame which is fixedly attached to the L-shaped spring clip, and a locking member which is upwardly raised from a base plate of the support frame wherein an aperture is formed on a clip arm of the L-shaped spring clip to receive the locking member and the base plate has a positive slope so that the base plate and the clip arm taper for easy in and out of a shoelace.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the shoelace retaining device of the present invention dispenses with the need to tie shoelaces; (2) the present invention is easy and convenient to use and very quick in tightening or releasing shoelaces; and (3) the present invention has a very simple structure and thus, it is easy to manufacture with low costs.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of footwear having the shoelace retaining device to securely retain a shoelace according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the shoelace retaining device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3( a) shows a front elevational view of an embodiment of the shoelace retaining device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3( b) shows a front elevational view of the locking member raised from the base plate according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the shoelace retaining device according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a rear elevational view of an embodiment of the shoelace retaining device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6( a) shows a perspective view of the shoelace retaining device showing the way of a shoelace being retained by the device;

FIG. 6( b) shows a front elevational view of the present invention with the clip arm being lifted by a user to release a shoelace;

FIG. 7 shows a front elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the retaining member of the embodiment as in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about”, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the shoelace retaining device 100 according to the present invention, and FIG. 3( a) shows a front elevational view of the device 100. The shoelace retaining device 100 includes a spring clip 10, a support frame 20, and a locking member 32. The spring clip 10, which is preferably L-shaped, has a clip arm 12, a bend portion 14 and a clip body 16 such that the clip arm 12 extends to the bend portion 14 and the clip body 16 extends back along the clip arm 12 from the bend portion 14. An aperture 18 formed on the clip arm 12 substantially along the clip arm 12.

The support frame 20 securely and fixedly supports the L-shaped spring clip 10 and comprises a base plate 22 and a side wall 24. The side wall 24 is securely attached to the clip body 16 such as by gluing, welding, bolting, riveting or other known means. The support frame 20 may further include a bottom plate 26 which is fixedly attached to a shoe tongue by an attachment means or a fastener.

The locking member 32 is upwardly raised from the base plate 22 and shaped and sized to be received in the aperture 18. The width of the locking member 32 is smaller than that of the aperture 18 so that the locking member can be received in the aperture 18 and there is room for a shoelace to be tightly and securely stuck between the locking member 32 and the aperture 18. The shoelace can be tightly secured between the locking member 32 and the aperture 18 because the clip arm 12 of the L-shaped spring clip 10 biases against the base plate 22.

Preferably, the L-shaped spring clip 10 is made of metal or other rigid material.

FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show a top plan view and a rear elevational view of the shoelace retaining device 100. The aperture 18 is longitudinally formed on the clip arm 12, but the aperture 18 may be further extended to the bend portion 14 and an upper part of the clip body 16 as in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 3( b) shows a front elevational view of the locking member 32 which is raised from the base plate 22. The locking member 32 has a receiving part 36 and a locking part 38. Preferably, the receiving part 36 has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body 16 whereas the locking part 18 has a negative slope in a direction toward the clip body 16. In this structure, the locking member 32 is in a triangular shape. Alternatively, the locking part 18 may be substantially horizontal. Preferably, the locking member 32 is made of metal or plastic.

The base plate 22 has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body as in FIG. 2 such that the base plate 22 and the clip arm 12 taper towards the clip body 16. The base plate 22 and the clip arm 12 do not have to taper all the way to the clip body 16, but they need to taper to the extend to help easy in and out of a shoelace. In addition, an end of the clip arm 12 may have a negative slope in a direction toward the clip body to further help easy in and out of a shoelace.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) respectively show the way of a shoelace 40 being retained by the device 100 and released from the device 100.

The spring clip 14 may further include a pull handle 19 formed on an end of the clip arm 14 so that a shoe wearer can pull up the pull handle 14 away from the base plate 22 for releasing a shoelace 40 which was retained between the clip arm 12 and the locking member 32. When the shoelace 40 is fastened to the device 100, the shoe wearer does not have pull up the pull handle 14. As in FIG. 6( a), applying force to the shoelace 40 to the direction of the clip body 16 is enough. The force will slightly lift the clip arm 12 which the shoelace 40 is passing between the clip arm 12 and the receiving part 36 and then, the shoelace 40 rests and is securely tightened between the aperture 18 of the clip arm 16 and the locking part 38 of the locking member 32. Preferably, the pull handle 19 is formed by rolling the end of the clip arm 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base plate 22, the side wall 24 and the bottom plate 26 may form a tunnel 28 such that a shoelace 40 can pass through the tunnel 28.

FIG. 7 shows a front elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the locking member 32 is raised from a retaining member base plate 34 of a retaining member 30 which is attached to the base plate 22. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the retaining member 30.

The shoelace retaining device 100 includes an L-shaped spring clip 10 which comprises a clip arm 12, a bend portion 14 and a clip body 16 in which the clip arm 12 extends to the bend portion 14 and the clip body 16 extends back along the clip arm 12 from the bend portion 14; an aperture 18 formed on the clip arm 12 substantially along the clip arm 12; a support frame 20 for securely supporting the L-shaped spring clip 10 in which the support frame 20 comprises a base plate 22 and a side wall 24; and a retaining member 30 which comprises a locking member 32 and a retaining member base plate 34.

The side wall 24 is securely attached to the clip body 16. The locking member 32, which is raised upwardly from the retaining member base plate 34, is shaped and sized to be received in the aperture 18. In addition, the clip arm 12 of the L-shaped spring clip 10 biases against the retaining member base plate 34 for retaining a shoelace 40 between the clip arm 12 and the locking member 32.

The aperture 18 is longitudinally formed on the clip arm 12 and may be further extended to the bend portion 14 and an upper part of the clip body 16. The L-shaped spring clip 10 and the support frame 20 may be made of metal and the retaining member 30 may be made of plastic.

As in FIG. 8, the locking member 32 has a receiving part 36 and a locking part 38, and preferably, the receiving part 36 has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body 16 and the locking part 38 has a negative slope in a direction toward the clip body 16. Alternatively, the locking part 38 may be substantially horizontal.

As in FIG. 7, the base plate 22 has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body 16. Furthermore, the spring clip 10 may further include a pull handle 19 formed on an end of the clip arm 12 so that a shoe wearer can pull up the pull handle 19 away from the base plate 22 for releasing a shoelace 40 retained between the clip arm 12 and the locking member 32. Preferably, the pull handle is formed by rolling an end of the clip arm 12.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoelace retaining device, comprising: an L-shaped spring clip which comprises a clip arm, a bend portion and a clip body wherein the clip arm extends to the bend portion and the clip body extends back along the clip arm from the bend portion; an aperture formed on the clip arm substantially along the clip arm; a support frame, for securely supporting the L-shaped spring clip, which comprises a base plate and a side wall; and a locking member which is upwardly raised from the base plate, wherein the side wall is securely attached to the clip body, wherein the locking member is shaped and sized to be received in the aperture, and wherein the clip arm of the L-shaped spring clip biases against the base plate for retaining a shoelace between the clip arm and the locking member.
 2. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein the aperture is longitudinally formed on the clip arm, the bend portion and an upper part of the clip body.
 3. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a receiving part and a locking part.
 4. The shoelace retaining device of claim 3, wherein the receiving part has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body.
 5. The shoelace retaining device of claim 4, wherein the locking part has a negative slope in a direction toward the clip body.
 6. The shoelace retaining device of claim 4, wherein the locking part is substantially horizontal.
 7. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein the base plate has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body such that the base plate and the clip arm taper towards the clip body.
 8. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein an end of the clip arm has a negative slope in a direction toward the clip body.
 9. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein the support frame further comprises a bottom plate which is attached to a shoe tongue.
 10. The shoelace retaining device of claim 9, wherein the base plate, the side wall and the bottom plate form a tunnel such that a shoelace can pass through the tunnel.
 11. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein the spring clip further comprises a pull handle formed on an end of the clip arm so that a user can pull up the pull handle away from the base plate for releasing a shoelace retained between the clip arm and the locking member.
 12. The shoelace retaining device of claim 11, wherein the pull handle is formed by rolling an end of the clip arm.
 13. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped spring clip is made of metal.
 14. The shoelace retaining device of claim 1, wherein the locking member is made of metal or plastic.
 15. A shoelace retaining device, comprising: an L-shaped spring clip which comprises a clip arm, a bend portion and a clip body wherein the clip arm extends to the bend portion and the clip body extends back along the clip arm from the bend portion; an aperture formed on the clip arm substantially along the clip arm; a support frame, for securely supporting the L-shaped spring clip, which comprises a base plate and a side wall; and a retaining member which comprises a locking member and a retaining member base plate; wherein the side wall is securely attached to the clip body, wherein the locking member, which is raised upwardly from the retaining member base plate, is shaped and sized to be received in the aperture, and wherein the clip arm of the L-shaped spring clip biases against the retaining member base plate for retaining a shoelace between the clip arm and the locking member.
 16. The shoelace retaining device of claim 15, wherein the aperture is longitudinally formed on the clip arm, the bend portion and an upper part of the clip body.
 17. The shoelace retaining device of claim 15, wherein the locking member comprises a receiving part and a locking part, and wherein the receiving part has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body and the locking part has a negative slope in a direction toward the clip body.
 18. The shoelace retaining device of claim 15, wherein the base plate has a positive slope in a direction toward the clip body.
 19. The shoelace retaining device of claim 15, wherein the spring clip further comprises a pull handle formed on an end of the clip arm so that a user can pull up the pull handle away from the base plate for releasing a shoelace retained between the clip arm and the locking member, and wherein the pull handle is formed by rolling an end of the clip arm.
 20. The shoelace retaining device of claim 15, wherein the L-shaped spring clip and the support frame are made of metal and the retaining member is made of plastic. 